Resolution Redux: Happy Chinese New Year!

February 8, 2016 marks the beginning of the year of the monkey, and two weeks of celebrations in Chinese communities. And if you've dropped the ball on your 2016 resolutions, here's a chance to revisit them!

Each year, like many people, we begin the year with great intentions of many changes. And by February, the gyms are empty again, the snack food aisle at the grocery store needs restocking, and the vegetables in the crisper drawer really should be thrown out.

So in light of the lunar new year, here's your chance for a do-over, particularly in the context of your fundraising program!

Related Post: Chinese New Year Traditions for Nonprofits

Assess your health. How do you know if your nonprofit is healthy if you never measure it? Check out the Fundraising Effectiveness Project's Fundraising Fitness Test for a comprehensive, but pretty easy, measure of your organization's health.

Pick a BIG goal. This might be for your organization or for your own career development. Maybe it's an idea that this year you will break through a big financial milestone. Or perhaps you want to consider pursuing a credential, such as the CFRE or the ACFRE. Whatever it is, write it down, and then tell someone about it. It's not real until you tell at least one person!

Seek out a new coach or mentor. While you might have a great group of supportive mentors and coaches already, it can be easy to get stuck in a rut. At a conference, or online, reach out to someone that you think may have a different perspective, or experience with your big goal. You never know what they might say, if you don't ask!

Pick ONE thing to do differently over the next 30 days. Not 10 days, not 60 days, just 30 days, and only ONE thing. Most change fails because you're trying to do too much at once, like eat different foods, and exercise, and sleep more, etc..  If you want something to stick, you need to stick to one thing. Perhaps you want to make a donor contact every day--not necessarily a solicitation, but a contact. Or you want to get rid of at least one old email every day (that's not asking much, is it?) Just pick ONE thing.

Whatever your goal, whatever your one thing is, we wish you success and prosperity in the new year! Gong Xi Fa Cai!

For a cool 360 view of some of the people at my 2016 Chinese New Year party, check out Jim Anderson's ThetaS 360 post. (Alice)

I love every person in this photo. (I think that's 27 people.) Look around, it's a 360 #theta #phototsphere - Spherical Image - RICOH THETA